Residual product removing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A residual product removing apparatus which can prevent a liquid food (12) from flowing out even when a seal portion (S) is cut at its center. A pair of cutting rails (31, 32) are disposed in a cutting jaw (15a), and a cutter (21) is disposed in a clearance (33) formed between the cutting rails (31, 32) to be movable in advancing and retracting directions. A packaging material is cut at opposing portions (11a, 11b) when the cutter (21) is advanced. Dollies (31a, 32a) are disposed along the cutting rails (31, 32). A pair of heating bodies are disposed in a heat sealing jaw (15b) so as to squeeze and seal the opposing portions (11a, 11b) of the packaging material in cooperation with the dollies (31a, 32a). A groove (38) is formed between the heating bodies. The tip of the cutter (21) enters the groove (38) when the cutter (21) is advanced, and the tip of the cutter (21) presses the packaging material when the cutter (21) is located at its retracted position. Accordingly, no product remaining portion is produced between the opposing portions (11a, 11b) of the packaging material.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a residual product removing apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, in a process for manufacturing a container for liquidfoods such as milk and soft drinks, a web-like packaging material madeof a flexible laminated material is supplied to an filling apparatus. Inthe filling apparatus, the packaging material is formed into a tube,which is filled with a liquid food, and then cut into a brick-shapedcontainer.

In detail, the filling apparatus seals the web-like packaging materialin the longitudinal direction to form a tube, and continuously feeds thetube downward. While the tube is fed downward, liquid food is suppliedto the tube from its top. Then, the tube is pressed from the both sidesthereof by sealing/cutting units so that sealing in the lateraldirection is carried out at predetermined intervals.

Subsequently, a laterally sealed portion is cut to form a plurality ofrectangular containers each holding a predetermined amount of the liquidfood therein, thereby completing the manufacture of containers.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration showing a main portion of aconventional filling apparatus. In FIG. 1, section (a) is a schematicillustration showing a forming unit, section (b) is an illustrationshowing an engaged state of engaging members, and section (c) is anillustration showing a disengaged state of the engaging members.

In this drawing, reference numeral 11 is a tube made of a flexiblelaminated material and formed by sealing a web-like packaging materialin the longitudinal direction. The packaging material is laminated, forexample, such that lamination layers thereof will be in the order of apolyethylene layer, an aluminum foil layer, an adhesive layer, a papermaterial and a polyethylene layer, from inside to outside of a containerwhich will be formed from the packaging material.

The tube 11 is continuously transferred downward, and squeezed andsealed in the lateral direction at predetermined intervals by twosealing/cutting units 14 and 15, thereby forming a strip-shaped sealportion S. While the tube is fed downward, a liquid food 12 is suppliedto the tube 11 from its top.

Then, the seal portion S is cut to form a rectangular container 23filled with a predetermined amount of the liquid food 12. For theseoperations, both of the sealing/cutting units 14 and 15 have cuttingjaws 14a and 15a and heat sealing jaws 14b and 15b.

Moreover, a cutting bar 18 is attached to the forward end of eachcutting jaw 14a, 15a while an inductor 19 is attached to the forward endof each heat sealing jaw 14b, 15b. The cutting jaws 14a and 15a and theheat sealing jaws 14b and 15b are advanced to squeeze the tube 11 fromboth sides thereof for bringing opposing inner faces of the tube 11 incontact with each other and sealing in the lateral direction.

Also, at the center of the cutting jaws 14a and 15a, a flat cutter 21extending in the lateral direction is disposed to be movable inadvancing and retracting directions. The seal portion S is cut at itscenter when the cutter is advanced. For moving the cutter 21 forward andbackward, a cylinder 22 is attached to the backward end of the cutter21, and an operating fluid is fed to and drained from the cylinder 22for moving the cutter 21 forward and backward.

Reference numerals 21a and 21b are a pair of forming flaps which arepivotably attached to the cutting jaws 14a and 15a and the heat sealingjaws 14b and 15b for enclosing and guiding the tube 11 and form the tube11 into a rectangle.

In the drawing, the sealing/cutting unit 14 is in the position ofstarting the sealing/cutting operation, where the cutting jaw 14a andthe heat sealing jaw 14b are advanced to squeeze the tube 11 from bothsides thereof for bringing opposing inner faces of the tube 11 incontact with each other.

Then, the sealing/cutting unit 14 moves downward while holding the tube11 squeezed. While the sealing/cutting unit 14 is moving downward, theinductor 19 disposed at the forward end of the heat sealing jaw 14b, andthe cutting bar 18 disposed at the forward end of the cutting jaw 14astrongly press the seal portion S, and the inductor 19 causes thealuminum foil layer of the packaging material to generate heat byinduction heating to laterally seal the tube 11 for forming the sealportion S. In this case, the inductor 19 is used to seal the tube 11 byinduction heating. However, a resistance element may be used to seal thetube 11 by generating Joule heat.

Meanwhile, in the figure, the sealing/cutting unit 15 is in the positionwhere the sealing/cutting operation is completed. Immediately before thesealing/cutting unit 15 reaches this position, the cutter 21 of thesealing/cutting unit 15 is advanced so that the seal portion S is cut atits center for separating the rectangular container 23 from the tube 11.

When the seal portion S has been cut at its center, the cutting jaw 15aand heat sealing jaw 15b of the sealing/cutting unit 15 is retracted andthen upward to the position of starting the sealing/cutting operation.When the sealing/cutting unit 15 reaches the position of starting thesealing/cutting operation and begins to move the cutting jaw 15a and theheat sealing jaw 15b, the cutter 21 of the sealing/cutting unit 14 isadvanced to cut the seal portion S at its center for separating therectangular container 23 from the tube 11.

Reference numerals 25 and 26 are a pair of engaging hooks which formengaging members. An engaging hook 25 is attached to each cutting jaw14a, 15a, while another engaging hook 26 is attached to each heatsealing jaws 14b, 15b. A cylinder 27 is connected to each engaging hook26.

Then, after the engaging hooks 25 and 26 are engaged with each other, bysupplying an operating medium to the cylinders 27, the cutting jaws 14aand 15a and the heat sealing jaws 14b and 15b are drawn toward eachother, thereby increasing a pressing force in sealing. In the positionof starting the sealing/cutting operation, the engaging hooks 25 and 26are engaged with each other as shown in section (b) of FIG. 1 while inthe position of finishing the sealing/cutting operation, the hooks aredisengaged from each other as shown in section (c) of FIG. 1.

Next, the sealing/cutting unit 15 will be described in detail.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a main portion of a sealing/cutting unitof a conventional filling apparatus.

In this drawing, reference numeral 11 is a tube, and reference numerals11a and 11b are opposing portions of the packaging material constitutingthe tube 11. Reference numeral 15 is a sealing/cutting unit, referencenumeral 15a is a cutting jaw, reference numeral 15b is a heat sealingjaw, reference numeral 19 is an inductor, and reference 21 is a cutter.

The cutting jaw 15a has a pair of cutting rails 31 and 32. The cutter 21is disposed in a clearance 33 formed between the cutting rails 31 and32, and is advanced and retracted in the direction of arrow A by acylinder 22 (FIG. 1).

The cutting rails 31 and 32 have dollies 31a and 32a, respectively,extending along the cutting rails 31 and 32. The seal portion S of thetube 11 is strongly pressed by the dollies 31a and 32a. Hence, thedollies 31a and 32a are made flat at their surfaces opposed to the heatsealing jaw 15b. The seal portion S comprises first and second sealportions S₁ and S₂ corresponding to the dollies 31a and 32a,respectively.

Meanwhile, the inductor 19 has the first and second induction heatingbodies 35 and 36 disposed opposite the dollies 31a and 32a. The firstand second induction heating bodies 35 and 36 extend along the dollies31a and 32a and have projections 35a and 36a projecting toward thecutting jaw 15a.

Also, a groove 38 is formed between the first and second inductionheating bodies 35 and 36 to accommodate the tip of the cutter 21 whenthe cutter 21 is advanced. The groove 38 extends along the first andsecond induction heating bodies 35 and 36. Incidentally, referencenumeral 40 is a product remaining portion, and reference numeral 41 is aclearance.

However, in the conventional filling apparatus, when the cutting jaws15a and the heat sealing jaw 15b are advanced to squeeze the tube 11from both sides thereof for bringing opposing portions 11a and 11b ofthe tube 11 in contact with each other and sealing in the lateraldirection, the product remaining portion 40 in which the product, i.e.,a liquid food 12 remains is formed along the seal portion S.

In detail, when the cutting jaw 15a and the heat sealing jaw 15b areadvanced to squeeze the tube 11 from both sides thereof, the opposingportions 11a and 11b of the tube 11 are brought in contact with eachother at the first and second seal portions S₁ and S₂. At this time,since the clearance 41 is formed between the dollies 31a and 32a, theopposing portion 11a warps toward the cutting jaw 15a across the widthof the clearance 41. Also, since the groove 38 is formed in the heatsealing jaw 15b, the opposing portion 11b warps toward the heat sealingjaw 15b across the width of the groove 38.

Accordingly, the product remaining portion 40 is formed, and the liquidfood 12 remains in the product remaining portion 40.

Then, when the cutter 21 is advanced to cut the seal portion S at thecenter thereof, i.e. between the first and second seal portions S₁ andS₂, the liquid food 12 remaining in the product remaining portion 40flows out. Moreover, if the liquid food 12 remains adhering to a cut endsurface of the opposing portions 11a and 11b, mold, yeast, bacteria andthe like proliferate, causing insanitation.

An object of the present invention is to solve the problem involved inthe conventional filling apparatus, and to provide a residual productremoving apparatus which can prevent or suppress the forming of aproduct remaining portion at the center of a sealed portion.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a residualproduct removing apparatus in a sealing/cutting unit which comprises acutting jaw and a heat sealing jaw which are disposed to face each otherand to be movable in advancing and retracting directions for sealing andcutting opposing portions of a packaging material. The residual productremoving apparatus includes a pair of cutting rails disposed in thecutting jaw, a cutter which is disposed in a clearance formed betweenthe cutting rails to be movable in advancing and retracting directionsand which cuts the packaging material at the opposing portions whenadvanced, dollies disposed along respective cutting rails, and a pair ofheating bodies which are disposed in the heat sealing jaw for squeezingand sealing the opposing portions of the packaging material incooperation with the dollies, and which form a groove therebetween toaccommodate the tip of the cutter when the cutter is advanced.

When the cutting jaw and the heat sealing jaw are mutually advanced tosqueeze the opposing portions of the packaging material from both sidesthereof, the opposing portions of the packaging material are brought incontact with each other at a seal portion thereof. In this state, whenthe heating bodies are activated to generate heat, portions of thesealant layer of the packaging material which face each other are fusedfor sealing.

Then, when the cutter is advanced to let the tip thereof enter thegroove, the opposing portions of the packaging material are cut.

In the advanced position of the cutter, the tip of the cutter enters thegroove, and in the retracted position, the tip presses the packagingmaterial. Hence, a product remaining portion is not formed between theopposing portions of the packaging material. As a result, even when thecutter is advanced to cut the sealed portion at its center, no liquidfood flows out, thereby establishing sanitation.

In another residual product removing apparatus according to the presentinvention, the heat sealing jaw has a protuberance projecting toward thecutting jaw and formed along the peripheral edge of the groove formedbetween the heating bodies.

In this case, when the cutting jaw and the heat sealing jaw are mutuallyadvanced to squeeze the packaging material from both sides thereof, thetip of the cutter and the protuberance press the opposing portions ofthe packaging material. Accordingly, the product remaining portionformed between the opposing portions of the packaging material can bemade quite small.

In still another residual product removing apparatus according to thepresent invention, there are provided a pair of cutting rails disposedin the cutting jaw, a cutter which is disposed in a clearance formedbetween the cutting rails to be movable in advancing and retractingdirections and to cut the packaging material at the opposing portionswhen advanced, dollies disposed along respective cutting rails, and apair of heating bodies which are disposed in the heat sealing jaw forsqueezing and sealing the opposing portions of the packaging material incooperation with the dollies, and which form a groove therebetween toaccommodate the tip of the cutter when the cutter is advanced.

Also, the cutting jaw has pressing portions projecting toward the heatsealing jaw and formed along peripheral edges of the clearance formedbetween the cutting rails.

In this case, when the cutting jaw and the heat sealing jaw are mutuallyadvanced to squeeze the opposing portions of the packaging material fromboth sides thereof, the pressing portions press the packaging material.Accordingly, the product remaining portion formed between the opposingportions of the packaging material can be made quite small.

In yet another residual product removing apparatus according to thepresent invention, the pressing portions are integrally formed with thecutting rails, respectively.

In this case, when the cutting jaw and the heat sealing jaw are mutuallyadvanced to squeeze the opposing portions of the packaging material fromboth sides thereof, the cutting rails press the packaging material.Accordingly, the product remaining portion formed between the opposingportions of the packaging material can be made quite small.

In a still further residual product removing apparatus according to thepresent invention, the pressing portions are integrally formed with thedollies, respectively.

In this case, when the cutting jaw and the heat sealing jaw are mutuallyadvanced to squeeze the opposing portions of the packaging material fromboth sides thereof, the dollies press the packaging material.Accordingly, the product remaining portion formed between the opposingportions of the packaging material can be made quite small.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration showing a main portion of aconventional filling apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a main portion of a sealing/cutting unitof the conventional filling apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a residual product removing apparatusshowing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a residual product removing apparatusshowing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a residual product removing apparatusshowing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a residual product removing apparatusshowing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a residual product removing apparatusshowing a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The embodiments of the present invention will next be described indetail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a residual product removing apparatusshowing a first embodiment of the present invention.

In this drawing, reference numeral 11 is a tube, and reference numerals11a and 11b are opposing portions of a packaging material constitutingthe tube 11. Reference numeral 15 is a sealing/cutting unit, referencenumeral 15a is a cutting jaw, reference numeral 15b is a heat sealingjaw, reference numeral 19 is an inductor, and reference 21 is a cutter.

The cutting jaw 15a has a pair of cutting rails 31 and 32. The cutter 21is disposed in a clearance 33 formed between the cutting rails 31 and32, and is advanced and retracted in the direction of arrow A by acylinder 22 (see FIG. 1).

The cutting rails 31 and 32 have dollies 31a and 32a, respectively,extending along the cutting rails 31 and 32. The seal portion S of thetube 11 is strongly pressed by the dollies 31a and 32a. Hence, thedollies 31a and 32a are made flat at their surfaces opposed to the heatsealing jaw 15b. The seal portion S comprises first and second sealportions S₁ and S₂ corresponding to the dollies 31a and 32a,respectively.

Meanwhile, the inductor 19 has the first and second induction heatingbodies 35 and 36 disposed opposite the dollies 31a and 32a. The firstand second induction heating bodies 35 and 36 extend along the dollies31a and 32a and have projections 35a and 36a projecting toward thecutting jaw 15a. When a high-frequency current is supplied to the firstand second induction heating bodies 35 and 36, an eddy current flows inthe aluminum foil layer of the packaging material to generate heat inthe aluminum foil layer by an eddy-current loss. Due to this heat,mutually contacting portions of the polyethylene layer of the packagingmaterial, which serves as a sealant layer, is molten for sealing.

Also, a groove 38 is formed between the first and second inductionheating bodies 35 and 36 to accommodate the tip of the cutter 21 whenthe cutter 21 is advanced. The groove 38 extends along the first andsecond induction heating bodies 35 and 36.

Meanwhile, the cutter 21 is advanced and retracted in the direction ofarrow A by the cylinder 22. In the advanced position of the cutter 21,the tip of the cutter 21 enters the groove 38 to cut the opposingportions 11a and 11b. In the retracted position, the tip presses theopposing portion 11a and also slightly warps the opposing portion 11atoward the heat sealing jaw 15b.

When the cutting jaw 15a and the heat sealing jaw 15b are advanced tosqueeze the tube 11 from both sides thereof, the opposing portions 11aand 11b are brought in contact with each other at the first and secondseal portions S₁ and S₂. At this time, since the groove 38 is formed inthe heat sealing jaw 15b, the opposing portion 11b warps toward the heatsealing jaw 15b across the width of the groove 38. Also, the tip of thecutter 21 presses the opposing portion 11a and also slightly warps theopposing portion 11a toward the heat sealing jaw 15b.

Accordingly, no product remaining portion is formed between the opposingportions 11a and 11b. As a result, even when the cutter 21 is advancedto cut the seal portion S at its center, i.e. between the first andsecond seal portions S₁ and S₂, no liquid food 12 flows out, therebyestablishing sanitation.

If there is a possibility that the tip of the cutter 21 contacts thealuminum foil layer of the packaging material at the opposing portion11a when the cutter 21 is located at the retracted position, it ispreferred that the cutter 21 be made of ceramic so that an eddy currentin the aluminum foil layer will not flow into the cutter 21 when theseal portion S is sealed.

Next, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a residual product removing apparatusshowing the second embodiment of the present invention.

In this drawing, reference numeral 11 is a tube, and reference numerals11a and 11b are opposing portions of a packaging material constitutingthe tube 11. Reference numeral 15 is a sealing/cutting unit, referencenumeral 15a is a cutting jaw, reference numeral 15b is a heat sealingjaw, reference numeral 19 is an inductor, and reference 21 is a cutter.

The cutting jaw 15a has a pair of cutting rails 31 and 32. The cutter 21is disposed in a clearance 33 formed between the cutting rails 31 and32, and is advanced and retracted in the direction of arrow A by acylinder 22 (see FIG. 1).

The cutting rails 31 and 32 have dollies 31a and 32a, respectively,extending along the cutting rails 31 and 32. The seal portion S of thetube 11 is strongly pressed by the dollies 31a and 32a. Hence, thedollies 31a and 32a are made flat at their surfaces opposed to the heatsealing jaw 15b. The seal portion S comprises first and second sealportions S₁ and S₂ corresponding to the dollies 31a and 32a,respectively.

Meanwhile, the inductor 19 has the first and second induction heatingbodies 35 and 36 disposed opposite the dollies 31a and 32a. The firstand second induction heating bodies 35 and 36 extend along the dollies31a and 32a and have projections 36a and 36a projecting toward thecutting jaw 15a.

Also, a protuberance 19a which slightly projects toward the cutting jaw15a, is formed between the first and second induction heating bodies 35and 36. A groove 38 is formed in the protuberance 19a to accommodate thetip of the cutter 21 when the cutter 21 is advanced. The protuberance19a and the groove 38 extend along the first and second inductionheating bodies 35 and 36.

Meanwhile, the cutter 21 is advanced and retracted in the direction ofarrow A by the cylinder 22. In the advanced position of the cutter 21,the tip of the cutter 21 enters the groove 38 to cut the opposingportions 11a and 11b. In the retracted position, the tip presses theopposing portion 11a.

In this case, the retracted position of the cutter 21 is set at aposition closer to the cutting jaw 15a compared to the retractedposition in the first embodiment. Since a clearance 41 is formed betweenthe dollies 31a and 32a, the opposing portion 11a warps toward thecutting jaw 15a across the width of the clearance 41. However, since theopposing portion 11b is deflected toward the cutting jaw 15a by theprotuberance 19a, a portion of the packaging material corresponding tothe groove 38 does not warp toward the heat sealing jaw 15b side.Accordingly, a production remaining portion 45 formed between theopposing portions 11a and 11b can be made quite small.

If there is a possibility that the tip of the cutter 21 contacts thealuminum foil layer of the packaging material at the opposing portion11a when the cutter 21 is located at the retracted position, it ispreferred that the cutter 21 be made of ceramic so that an eddy currentin the aluminum foil layer will not flow into the cutter 21 when theseal portion S is sealed.

Next, the third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a residual product removing apparatusshowing the third embodiment of the present invention.

In this drawing, reference numeral 11 is a tube, and reference numerals11a and 11b are opposing portions of a packaging material constitutingthe tube 11. Reference numeral 15 is a sealing/cutting unit, referencenumeral 15a is a cutting jaw, reference numeral 15b is a heat sealingjaw, reference numeral 19 is an inductor, and reference numeral 21 is acutter.

The cutting jaw 15a has a pair of cutting rails 51 and 52. The cutter 21is disposed in a clearance 33 formed between the cutting rails 51 and52, and is advanced and retracted in the direction of arrow A by acylinder 22 (see FIG. 1).

The cutting rails 51 and 52 have dollies 51a and 52a, respectively,extending along the cutting rails 51 and 52. The seal portion S of thetube 11 is strongly pressed by the dollies 51a and 52a. Hence, thedollies 51a and 52a are made flat at their surfaces opposed to the heatsealing jaw 15b. The seal portion S comprises first and second sealportions S₁ and S₂ corresponding to the dollies 51a and 52a,respectively.

Also, the cutting rails 51 and 52 have pressing portions 51b and 52bextending toward the heat sealing jaw 15b between the dollies 51a and52a. Surfaces of the pressing portions 51b and 52b opposed to the heatsealing jaw 15b are placed substantially on the same plane as thesurfaces of the dollies 51a and 52a opposed to the heat sealing jaw 15b.

Meanwhile, the inductor 19 has the first and second induction heatingbodies 35 and 36 disposed opposite the dollies 51a and 52a. The firstand second induction heating bodies 35 and 36 extend along the dollies51a and 52a and have projections 35a and 36a projecting toward thecutting jaw 15a.

Also, a groove 38 is formed between the first and second inductionheating bodies 35 and 36 to accommodate the tip of the cutter 21 whenthe cutter 21 is advanced. The groove 38 extends along the first andsecond induction heating bodies 35 and 36.

Meanwhile, the cutter 21 is advanced and retracted in the direction ofarrow A by the cylinder 22. In the advanced position of the cutter 21,the tip of the cutter enters the groove 38 to cut the opposing portions11a and 11b. In the retracted position, the tip is off the opposingportion 11a.

In this case, in the retracted position of the cutter 21, the tip of thecutter 21 is off the opposing portion 11a, but the surfaces of thepressing portions 51b and 52b opposed to the heat sealing jaw 15b pressthe seal portion S of the tube 11 together with the dollies 51a and 52a.

Accordingly, since the warping of the opposing portion 11a toward thecutting jaw 15a can be suppressed, a product remaining portion 53 formedbetween the opposing portions 11a and 11b can be made quite small.

Next, the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a residual product removing apparatusshowing the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

In this drawing, reference numeral 11 is a tube, and reference numerals11a and 11b are opposing portions of a packaging material constitutingthe tube 11. Reference numeral 15 is a sealing/cutting unit, referencenumeral 15a is a cutting jaw, reference numeral 15b is a heat sealingjaw, reference numeral 19 is an inductor, and reference numeral 21 is acutter.

The cutting jaw 15a has a pair of cutting rails 31 and 32. The cutter 21is disposed in a clearance 33 formed between the cutting rails 31 and32.

The cutting rails 31 and 32 have dollies 31a and 32a, respectively,extending along the cutting rails 31 and 32. The seal portion S of thetube 11 is strongly pressed by the dollies 31a and 32a.

Meanwhile, the inductor 19 has the first and second induction heatingbodies 35 and 36 disposed opposite the dollies 31a and 32a. The firstand second induction heating bodies 35 and 36 extend along the dollies31a and 32a and have projections 35a and 36a projecting toward thecutting jaw 15a.

Also, a groove 38 is formed between the first and second inductionheating bodies 35 and 36 to accommodate the tip of the cutter 21 whenthe cutter 21 is advanced. The groove 38 extends along the first andsecond induction heating bodies 35 and 36.

Meanwhile, the cutter 21 is advanced and retracted in the direction ofarrow A by the cylinder 22. In the advanced position of the cutter 21,the tip of the cutter enters the groove 38 to cut the opposing portions11a and 11b. In the retracted position, the tip presses the opposingportion 11a and slightly warps the opposing portion 11a toward the heatsealing jaw 15b side.

Accordingly, when the cutting jaw 15a and the heat sealing jaw 15b areadvanced to squeeze the tube 11 from both sides thereof, the opposingportions 11a and 11b are brought in contact with each other at the firstand second seal portions S₁ and S₂. At this time, since the groove 38 isformed in the heat sealing jaw 15b, the opposing portion 11b warpstoward the heat sealing jaw 15b side across the width of the groove 38.Hence, the tip of the cutter 21 presses the opposing portion 11a andslightly warps the opposing portion 11a toward the heat sealing jaw 15b.

As a result, no product remaining portion is formed between the opposingportions 11a and 11b. As a result, even when the cutter 21 is advancedto cut the seal portion S at its center, i.e. between the first andsecond seal portions S₁ and S₂, no liquid food 12 flows out, therebyestablishing sanitation.

In this case, since an edge portion 19a is rounded, a radius ofcurvature of the warping of the opposing portions 11a and 11b toward theheat sealing jaw 15b becomes large. Hence, when the tip of the cutter 21presses the opposing portion 11a in the retracted position of the cutter21, the opposing portion 11a can easily be warped toward the heatsealing jaw 15b.

If there is a possibility that the tip of the cutter 21 contacts thealuminum foil layer of the packaging material at the opposing portion11a when the cutter 21 is located at the retracted position, it ispreferred that the cutter 21 be made of ceramic so that an eddy currentin the aluminum foil layer will not flow into the cutter 21 while theseal portion S is sealed.

Next, the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a residual product removing apparatusshowing the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

In this drawing, reference numeral 11 is a tube, and reference numerals11a and 11b are opposing portions of a packaging material constitutingthe tube 11. Reference numeral 15 is a sealing/cutting unit, referencenumeral 15a is a cutting jaw, reference numeral 15b is a heat sealingjaw, reference numeral 19 is an inductor, and reference numeral 21 is acutter.

The cutting jaw 15a has a pair of cutting rails 61 and 62. The cutter 21is disposed in a clearance 33 formed between the cutting rails 61 and62.

The cutting rails 61 and 62 have dollies 61a and 62a, respectively,extending along the cutting rails 61 and 62. The seal portion S of thetube 11 is strongly pressed by the dollies 61a and 62a.

Also, the dollies 61a and 62a have pressing portions 61b and 62b,respectively, extending toward each other. Surfaces of the pressingportions 61b and 62b opposed to the heat sealing jaw 15b are placed onthe same plane as the surfaces of the dollies 61a and 62a opposed to theheat sealing jaw 15b.

Meanwhile, the inductor 19 has the first and second induction heatingbodies 35 and 36 disposed opposite the dollies 61a and 62a. The firstand second induction heating bodies 35 and 36 extend along the dollies61a and 62a and have projections 35a and 36a projecting toward thecutting jaw 15a.

Also, a groove 38 is formed between the first and second inductionheating bodies 35 and 36 to accommodate the tip of the cutter 21 whenthe cutter 21 is advanced. The groove 38 extends along the first andsecond induction heating bodies 35 and 36.

Meanwhile, the cutter 21 is advanced and retracted in the direction ofarrow A by the cylinder 22. In the advanced position of the cutter 21,the tip of the cutter enters the groove 38 to cut the opposing portions11a and 11b. In the retracted positions the tip is off the opposingportion 11a.

In this case, in the retracted position of the cutter 21, the tip of thecutter 21 is off the opposing portion 11a, but the pressing portions 61band 62b press the seal portion S of the tube 11.

Accordingly, since the warping of the opposing portion 11a toward thecutting jaw 15a can be suppressed, a product remaining portion 55 formedbetween the opposing portions 11a and 11b can be made quite small.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.Numerous modifications and variations of the present invention arepossible in light of the spirit of the present invention, and they arenot excluded from the scope of the present invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is applicable to filling apparatuses whichmanufacture containers for liquid foods.

I claim:
 1. A method of operating a sealing/cutting unit having acutting jaw and a heat-sealing jaw disposed facing each other, saidcutting jaw having a pair of cutting rails defining planar surface areasfacing the heat sealing jaw, a cutter which is disposed in a guidewayformed between the cutting rails, and said heat sealing jaw having agroove in its planar surface, the groove being aligned with the guidewayto receive the tip of the cutter when the cutter is advanced, saidmethod comprising:(a) positioning a tube of a heat-sealable plastic,filled with a fill material, between said cutting jaw and saidheat-sealing jaw; (b) advancing at least one of said jaws toward theother jaw to squeeze the fill material out of first and second areas ofthe tube, corresponding to the planar surface areas, on opposing sidesof the aligned guideway and groove and to press the tube closed in thefirst and second areas, the first and second areas being separated by athird area between the aligned groove and guideway; (c) pressing saidcutter against the third area of the tube thereby forcing the fillmaterial out of the third area; (d) subsequent to steps (a)-(c) heatingsaid first and second areas of said plastic tube to form seals; and (e)subsequent to steps (a)-(d) advancing the cutter, relative to thecutting rails with the tube pressed closed, to an advanced position tosever the tube across said third area; and (f) retracting the cutter toa retracted position.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein said cutterpresses against the third area of the tube in said retracted position.3. The method of claim 1 wherein said heat sealing jaw has a pair ofprotrusions facing the third area, the protrusions being located onopposite sides of and extending parallel to said groove, the rails ofthe cutting jaw being spaced to allow the pair of protrusions to fittherebetween when the jaws are pressed together and wherein the thirdarea of the plastic tube is pressed between the cutter and theprotrusions and the fill material is forced out of the third area beforethe plastic tube is pressed closed in the first and second areas.